Gold Coast residents love their pets and especially these top 10 dog breeds
GOLD Coast residents are barking mad for dogs but there can only be one breed that tops the bunch. The Bulletin lists the region’s top 10.
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THEY are the dog with a dark side but the Gold Coast is still barking mad for staffies.
The staffordshire bull terrier has been responsible for at least five high-profile dog attacks on the Coast in the past two years yet remains the city’s most popular breed.
Coming close second on the list is the smaller Maltese cross, followed by the Border Collie, Labrador and Jack Russell terrier.
To show they truly are the favourites, number 6 on the list is the similar Staffordshire bull terrier cross followed by the purebred Maltese.
The Shih tzu cross came eighth place, followed by the German Shepherd and Australian Kelpie cross.
There are 4188 staffies registered with the Gold Coast City Council from a total of 56,033 dogs.
Wet Noses Mobile Vet head veterinarian Kyra Craft said she was not surprised staffies were top dog.
“Everyone I know loves staffies because of their easygoing and loveable nature,” she said.
“They are really the perfect family pet.”
Ms Craft said although most staffies on the Coast were owned by young families, more tradies were choosing the breed.
“A lot of young men who are fit and love working and spending time outdoors are buying staffies, probably because they are compact and muscly and remind them of themselves,” she said.
The staffie is not only the Coast’s favourite breed but is also the most popular dog in Queensland for the fourth year in a row.
Dogs Queensland general manager Rob Harrison said their popularity had been on the rise for the past couple of years.
“Staffies are one of the most versatile dogs — they are extraordinarily good with children, they are easily house trained and they can live in a small space or adapt to energetic lifestyles,” Mr Harrison said.
Jake Martin bought his staffie, Lucy, when she was a puppy and the two-and-a-half-year-old has been his best mate ever since.
“She’s one of the best dogs around — she’s so loyal and comes pretty much everywhere with me,” the 17-year-old said.
“She is a typical staffie though — she’s always looking for treats and puts on a sad face when we don’t give her any.
“A lot of people I know have staffies, so I’m not surprised that they are the most popular breed.”
AWL communications and public relations manager Zoe Hermans said the staffie’s loyal and protective nature could sometimes be a cause for aggression.
“Staffies are very loyal to their humans and unless they’ve been socialised from a young age with other dogs, there is a risk they could turn out aggressive,” she said.
The Maltese cross took out second place with 3837 registered in the city and Ms Craft said a large number of the small dogs she treated at the mobile clinic were owned by seniors.
“The smaller breeds, like the Maltese, are easy to care for and are happy living in smaller spaces which makes them perfect for retirees and seniors wanting some companionship,” she said.
More than 2000 border collies are registered with the city council, putting the popular sheepdog in third place.
The border collie’s intelligent mind and attractive coat make them highly desirable but Ms Craft said because they were a larger dog, they cost more to maintain.
“They are a family dog but because they cost a little more to look after, they normally are in a family that only has a few kids,” she said.
“I’ve been on the Coast for over 10 years and the border collies have always been one of the popular breeds.”
Gold Coast’s top 10 dog breeds
1. Staffordshire bull terrier
2. Maltese cross
3. Border collie
4. Labrador
5. Jack russell terrier
6. Staffordshire bull terrier cross
7. Maltese
8. Shih tzu cross
9. German shepherd
10. Australian kelpie cross
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